"Phil Taylor: Luke Littler's Publicity Surpasses His Own as He Aims for Record-Breaking Glory!"

PHIL TAYLOR says Luke Littler has a “bloody good chance” of overtaking his historic tally of World Darts Championship crowns.

But retired grandfather – who quit the professional circuit eight years ago – jokes he does not expect to be alive should manage to collect 17 Sid Waddell Trophies.

Taylor is hailed by many as the greatest darts player of all timeCredit: Rex Luke Littler already has two world titles under his belt at 18 years oldCredit: Reuters

And to answer the eternal question about who is the better player, it would be a “50-50” match-up, according to the Power, had the two ever met across the same oche in their prime.

Speaking to SunSport in the aftermath of Littler’s second successive world title victory – in the final on January 3 – Taylor fears for the first time that the youngster could do the unthinkable.

When Taylor won his 16th in 2013 – two on the BDO and 14 in the PDC ranks – it was a mark in world sport that few thought would ever be broken.

But Taylor, 65, laughed: “I think he’s got a bloody good chance, I’ll be honest with you. If I don’t get him shot on the way!

“Well, hopefully, when he does break my records, I’ll be dead and gone. So I won’t have to listen to anybody else saying it!

“But if anybody’s got a chance, it’s definitely him, that’s for sure.

“You know what, every time he does well, he keeps putting me back in the limelight.

“Honestly, I’m getting more publicity now than when I was winning it. Bless his cotton socks.”

Taylor – who dominated the world oche between 1995-2006 as he won 11 titles – continued: “Luke smashed Gian in the final. Absolutely smashed him. Steamrolled him.

“He’s on another planet at the minute. Let’s be honest. The lad’s playing brilliantly.

“He takes pressure really, really well. In fact, all the years I’ve played darts, he probably takes the pressure better than anybody I’ve ever seen, to be honest.

“Whether that’s because he’s young or, I don’t know, he’s just majorly confident. He’s brilliant. I can’t fault him.”

Littler – who turns 19 on January 21 – is at the Bahrain Darts Masters this week and is on a 20-game winning streak that started on November 8 at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.

It is easy with recency bias to say that Littler would have easily beaten the Master of Darts but Taylor is too modest to say he would have battered the teen sensation.

Littler is arguably more naturally talented than Taylor but the OAP thrower was the harder worker and put the hours in on the board.

Taylor, who is part of the same Target Darts stable, responded: “It would have been a cracker. It would have been a brilliant game.

“I honestly think at my best and his best it’s 50-50. I really do.

“It’s like would Muhammad Ali beat Tyson Fury? Whoever’s the best on the day, I suppose.

“There were times when I used to go into tournaments and I didn’t feel any pressure whatsoever. I was in my own little bubble and I’d smash them.

“And then there’s other times when you just feel a little bit nervous because it’s the dedication with me.

The Power won his last world title in 2013Credit: Getty Littler is getting ready to compete at the Bahrain Darts MastersCredit: PA

“Because we were that busy, up and down the country, running round here and there and everywhere. Sometimes I wasn’t as dedicated as what I would like to have been.

“If talent doesn’t work hard, hard work will beat talent. I think he’s got more natural ability than I have, that’s for sure.

“I had a bit of the syndrome, whom I’m friends with.

“Nigel said when he was in the army, you’d have to get up at like 5 o’clock in the morning.

“But when he took boxing up, he could have a lie-in till about 9 o’clock. He worked his socks off and that’s what you’ve got to do.

“I think not being so dedicated will take its toll one day. But not yet. I mean Luke’s still young yet.”